7 tips to picking a name for your company (with examples!)

You’ve found your business idea. But you’re stuck with company name ideas.

Are you tired of staring at a blank piece of paper, racking your brain for creative business name ideas? 

Well, fear not, my fellow entrepreneur, because choosing a business name doesn’t have to be a gruelling task. 

In fact, it can even be fun! 

Go, grab some friends, order a coffee (or a glass of wine – we won’t judge), and let’s dive into some tips for finding creative business name ideas that will make you and your customers smile.

1. Make it memorable and easy to spell.

Your business name should be easy to remember and easy to spell. Avoid using complicated words or phrases that might be difficult for people to remember or spell correctly. Business names should avoid using abbreviations or acronyms that might confuse people. A catchy business name should be simple and easy to pronounce.

2. Think about your brand values.

Your business name should reflect your brand values and your product or service offerings. If your brand focus is sustainability, for example, you might consider a name that evokes nature or eco-friendliness. If your brand focus is technology, you might consider a name that is modern and tech-savvy.

3. Consider your target audience.

Your business name should appeal to your target customers. If you’re targeting a younger demographic, for example, you might consider a creative business name that is more playful or edgy. If you’re targeting an older demographic, consider a business name that is traditional or established.

4. Enables your business to grow.

If your business name is too specific, it can limit your ability to expand your product or service offerings in the future.

For instance, the business name ‘Best Pizza in Town’ may limit its potential for growth and expansion beyond pizza.

5. Consider cultural or regional differences.

If your company will be operating in multiple countries or regions, it’s essential to consider cultural or regional differences when selecting a name. 

6. Conduct a trademark search.

Before finalising your business name, conduct a trademark search to ensure that the name is available. Trademark infringement can be costly and time-consuming, so ensure your name is legal.

7. Get feedback.

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential business names, get feedback from others. Ask friends, family, and colleagues for their opinion on the business name.

You might also consider running a survey or focus group to get more detailed feedback.

Consider the 7 types of brand names

The seven types of brand names can help you find a catchy business name. They provide a framework for understanding the construction of a great brand name and its potential benefits and drawbacks.

Here are some ways that you can use this knowledge to find a business name:

Descriptive brand names

This name describes what the brand does or offers, and may include a keyword or a literal description of the product or service.

Examples include General Motors, Pizza Hut, and PayPal.

Suggestive brand names

This name suggests or implies something about the brand or its benefits, but do not explicitly describe them. They may evoke a certain value proposition – a feeling or image – that aligns with the brand’s values or personality.

Examples include Netflix, Snapchat, and Airbnb.

Associative brand names

This name associates the brand with a particular quality, feature, or benefit, but do not explicitly describe it. It may use a metaphor, symbolism, or wordplay to create a connection between the brand and its attributes.

Examples include Apple, Nike, and Amazon.

Evocative brand names

This name evokes an emotion, feeling, or image related to the brand value or personality. It may use a metaphor, analogy, or alliteration to create a memorable and impactful name.

Examples include Coca-Cola, Disney, and Harley-Davidson.

Neologistic brand names

These names are created by combining or modifying existing words or inventing a new word to create a unique and distinctive name. They may be playful, catchy, or quirky, and can help a brand stand out from competitors.

Examples include Google, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Acronymic brand names

This name uses the initials or first letters of a longer phrase or name. They may be easier to remember and pronounce but lack meaning or differentiation.

Examples include IBM, CNN, and KFC.

Geographical brand names

This name uses a location or a place name as part of the brand, either to highlight its origin or to create a sense of authenticity or heritage. They convey a sense of belonging or pride for consumers who identify with the place.

Examples include American Airlines, New York Times, and Land Rover.

Should you use a business name generator?

There are a myriad of business name generators to help you in your search for the perfect, catchy business name. These tools are a good source to get those creative juices flowing or you are looking for a different angle to approach.

Let’s have a look at some of the free tools available –

Logo.com‘s free business name generator

This is a powerful tool that helps entrepreneurs and businesses come up with unique and memorable names for their brands. They use advanced algorithms and AI technology, accounting for various factors such as industry, keywords, and target audience to provide a list of relevant and available domain names for users to choose from.

Shopify business name generator

Brought to you by Shopify, their brand name generator is a user-friendly tool that helps entrepreneurs and businesses create a unique and catchy name for their brand. With the use of keywords and industry-specific terms, the generator provides a list of available domain names that are relevant to the user’s business. Shopify business name generator also allows users to filter their search by industry and domain extension, making it easy to find a name that matches their specific needs.

Wix’s business name generator

Wix’s business name generator is an innovative tool that helps entrepreneurs and businesses create a unique and memorable name for their brand. With the use of keywords and a simple interface, the generator provides a list of available domain names that are relevant to the user’s industry and business type. Wix’s company name generator also offers features such as a built-in thesaurus and domain availability check, making it easy to find a name that fits your brand’s vision.

Need some inspiration?

Examples of great company names

There are countless examples of excellent and cool business names out there, and what makes a good name will depend on the specific business, industry, and target audience. 

Here are a few examples of business names that are well-crafted and effective –

Seek

Seek is a job search platform that has a name that is simple and memorable. It reflects the focus on helping people find their ideal job and achieve their career goals.

Canva

This name is short, easy to remember, and unique. It effectively communicates the focus on providing an intuitive graphic design platform accessible to everyone.

Vinomofo

Vinomofo is an online business name that is fun and memorable. It stands for “Vino” (Italian for wine) and “Mofo” (well, maybe a naughty slang term for friend), and it effectively communicates the focus on providing high-quality, affordable wines to a broad audience. An excellent example of funny business names.

Slack

Slack is a name that is a catchy business name that is short and easy to remember, and it conveys a sense of efficiency and productivity, which is fitting for a communication platform for businesses.

Netflix

Netflix is memorable and easy to spell, and effectively communicates the focus on providing streaming entertainment content.

Squarespace

This name is catchy and memorable, and it communicates the company’s focus on providing an easy-to-use platform for building websites.

Zoom

Zoom is a name that is short and easy to remember, and it conveys a sense of speed and efficiency, which is fitting for a video conferencing platform.

Mailchimp

This name is playful and fun, and it communicates the focus on providing an email marketing platform for potential customers that is approachable and user-friendly.

Airbnb

Airbnb is a name that is unique and memorable, and it communicates the focus on providing accommodations and experiences that feel like home.

Google

Google is a name that is playful and fun, and it conveys the focus on organising and making sense of the vast amounts of information on the internet.

Shopify

Shopify is a name that effectively communicates its a platform for e-commerce businesses. It’s short and easy to remember.

Amazon

The name “Amazon” is memorable, easy to spell, and conveys a sense of vastness and abundance, which is fitting for a company that sells just about everything.

Etsy

Etsy is a short and sweet name for an online brand platform for small, independent artisans to sell their handmade goods.

Patagonia

This name is unique and memorable, and it communicates the brand identity of providing high-quality outdoor gear and apparel.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a name that is straightforward and easy to remember, and it communicates the companys focus on networking and professional development.

Dropbox

Dropbox is a name that is simple and memorable, and it communicates to potential customers, it is a platform for storing and sharing files.

The most effective business names tend to be simple, memorable, and reflective of the brand’s values and focus. A creative business name should be unique and easy to spell, and it should appeal to the target audience.

Use our free business company name checker to make sure of business name availability for ASIC registration –